Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, yesterday joined a coalition of women groups across Lagos State in a coordinated rally to advocate for the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349).
The delegation visited and submitted formal petitions at the offices of eight Federal Constituencies, including Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikeja, Alimosho, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, and Agege.
This mobilization is part of a nationwide effort to ensure federal lawmakers prioritize gender inclusion in the National Assembly.
The Goal of HB1349,
The Reserved Seats Bill is designed as a Temporary Special Measure (TSM) to rectify the long-standing under-representation of women in Nigerian governance.
The Bill proposes additional
Senate and House of Representatives seats, a combined total of 74, with 37 in the Senate and 37 in the House of Representatives, specifically reserved for women contestants, and State Houses of Assembly having 3 additional seats for each State House of Assembly, totaling 108 seats nationwide.
If passed, this measure is projected to remain in effect for four election cycles, providing a necessary boost to female participation in legislative decision-making.
NAWOJ Lagos was fully on the ground to amplify the voices of Nigerian women, standing in solidarity with various advocacy groups to ensure the petitions reached the appropriate Representatives.
”NAWOJ Lagos remains committed to the struggle for gender parity,” stated Jumoke Falayi Johnson, Chairperson of NAWOJ Lagos. “The Reserved Seats Bill is not just a women’s issue; it is a developmental necessity for Nigeria to ensure that the perspectives of half its population are represented at the highest levels of policy-making”, she added.
NAWOJ Lagos called for swift passage of the Bill at the National Assembly and it’s immediate signing for the all round betterment of Nigeria.
